This is autumn in Japan! Special Report: Fall Colors in the Mountains --Kansai Region-- (2/2)
Since Japan’s ancient capitals of Kyoto and Nara are in the Kansai Region, you can find scenery that looks very Japanese. Maples abound at major temples and other famous spots. Autumn scenes here are certainly not inferior to cherry blossoms in spring nor to snow scenes in winter. Unforgettable scenic beauty!
With 5 million annual visitors, Kiyomizu-dera is one of Kyoto's most famous temples. The autumn colors are especially stunning with about 1,000 trees turning red and yellow. Also don't miss the illumination of the leaves in the evening. It's surreal!
The red leaves match the color of the Three-Story Pagoda (Important Cultural Property).
*Three-Story Pagoda is under renovation until March 2015.
A ray of blue light beaming from Kiyomizu-dera.
*Three-Story Pagoda is under renovation until March 2015.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
Address: Kiyomizu 1-294, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
Phone: 075-551-1234
Directions: -From JR Kyoto Station-
Take Kyoto City Bus No. 206 or 100 and get off at Gojo-zaka for a 10-minute walk.
-From Kawaramachi Station and Gion Shijo Station-
Take Kyoto City Bus No. 207 and get off at Kiyomizu-michi for a 10-minute walk.
Or take Keihan Bus No. 83, 85, 87, or 88 and get off at Kiyomizu-michi or Gojo-zaka for a 10-minute walk.
Hours: 6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. （Varies depending on season）
Admission: 300 yen for adults, 200 yen for elementary/Jr. high school students.
Evening illumination: November 14th-December 7th, 2014, 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m., admission 400 yen for adults, 200 yen for elementary/Jr. high school students.
Autumn foliage period: Late November to early December
website : Kiyomizu-dera Temple
*Fees as of October 2014.
Photo by : Kyoto Design
Arashiyama is one of Kyoto's most scenic areas. Popular for cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. Its many sights include Togetsukyo Bridge (symbol of Arashiyama) and World Heritage Site Tenryuji temple. Viewing the foliage from the river on a Japanese-style boat is also enjoyable.
Arashiyama temples famous for autumn foliage
Breathtaking Japanese garden at World Heritage Site Tenryuji!
The garden is the first one designated as a National Historic Site and Special Place of Scenic Beauty. Looks like a painting. The Sando approaching path is lined with many maple trees, making it one of Kyoto's prime autumn spots.
The Japanese garden has a pond, hill, and circular walking path. The autumn foliage is a must-see. You can also enjoy it in the evening when illuminated.
Kogenji temple, open to the public only in spring and fall.
This temple is normally not open to the public. The Japanese garden's colorful reds and greens are mesmerizing.
Arashiyama
Address: Arashiyama, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto
Directions: Near JR Saga-Arashiyama Station, 13-minute walk. Also near Arashiyama Station on Keifuku Arashiyama Line and Hankyu Arashiyama Line.
Fall foliage peak: Mid-November to early December
Tenryuji Temple
Address: Saga Tenryuji Susukinobaba-cho 68, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto
Phone: 075-881-1235 Directions: Near Arashiyama Station on the Keifuku Arashiyama Line. Or take Kyoto City Bus No.11,28,or93 and get off at Arashiyama Tenryuji-mae.
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. (Open every day)
（Until 5:00 p.m. during October 21st-March 20th, 2015)
Garden admission: 500 yen (100 yen extra to see temple buildings, 500 yen extra to see Hotto Hall）
website : Tenryuji Temple
Kogenji (Tenryuji Subtemple)
Phone: 075-881-1232
Directions: 3-minute walk from Tenryuji temple.
Hours: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (Oct. 4th-Dec. 7th, 2014)
Admission: 500 yen for adults, 300 yen for elementary/Jr. high school students.
Kogenji and Hogon-in combination ticket: 900 yen
website : Kogenji (Tenryuji Subtemple)
*Fees as of October 2014.
Hogon-in (Tenryuji Subtemple)
Phone: 075-861-0091
Directions: 2-minute walk from Tenryuji temple.
Hours: 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Garden admission: 500 yen for adults, 300 yen for elementary/Jr. high school students.
（500yen extra to view fusuma paintings in the Hondo hall during Oct. 4-Dec. 7, 2014.）
Evening illumination: 5:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. (Nov.14th-Dec.7th,2014),600 yen for adults, 300 yen for elementary/Jr. high school students.
website : Hogon-in (Tenryuji Subtemple)
The Tsuten Maples are famous for three-pointed leaves brought over from China during the Song Dynasty.In autumn, many Japanese and foreign tourists come to see the red-drenched scenery around Tsutenkyo Bridge. Enjoy what many say is Kyoto's best autumn foliage.
Gaunkyo Bridge as seen from Tsutenkyo Bridge.
Enjoy autumn foliage wherever you walk.
Tofukuji Temple
Address: Honmachi 15-778, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto
Directions: Near Tofukuji Station, 10-minute walk.Or take City Bus No. 202, 207, or 208 and get off at Tofukuji.
Hours: November-early December, 8:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Admission to Tsutenkyo Bridge and Kaizando: 400 yen for adults, 300 yen for elementary/Jr. high school students.
Garden admission: 400 yen for adults, 300 yen for elementary/Jr. high school students.
Fall foliage peak: Mid-November to early December
website : Tofukuji Temple
*Fees as of October 2014.
A 30-minute train ride from Osaka is Minoo Park, one of the Kansai Region's famous places for fall leaves. Minoo Otaki waterfall flanked by bright-red maple leaves is cool,mystical,and breathtaking.The fall colors on the path to the waterfall is another reason for the park's popularity.
Hashimoto-tei was an old ryokan before it was converted to a café and gallery. It has a nice view of fall leaves.
Near the park is Ryuanji temple where Japan's first lottery was held(for monks).Take a look while walking around the fall leaves.
Minoo Park
Address: Minoo Koen,Minoo,Osaka
Directions: 400 meters north of Minoo Station
Fall foliage peak: Mid-November to early December
Ryuanji temple
Address: Minoo Koen 2-23, Minoo, Osaka
Phone: 072-721-3003
Directions: 15-minute walk from Minoo Station
Hours: 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., free admission
Hashimoto-tei
Address: Minoo 2-5-37, Minoo, Osaka Phone: 072-721-3221
Directions: 5-minute walk from Minoo
Station
Open: 8:30 a.m.-18:00 p.m.（Order by 5:30 p.m.）,
closed Tuesday (open if a national holiday)
Japan's only existing 13-story,wooden pagoda is the symbol of Tanzan Shrine. In autumn,3,000 maple trees engulf the shrine's vermilion main hall and the entire shrine turns red! From mid-November, the leaves are illuminated in the evening, attracting many tourists.
The Kemari Kickball Festival is held in the Kemari Courtyard twice a year.
The Honden main hall is very ornate with sculptures of flowers, birds, etc.
Tanzan Shrine
Address: Taunomine 319, Sakurai, Nara
Phone: 0744-49-0001
Hours: 8：30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Evening illumination: November 15th-November 29th, 2014, sunset to 8:00 p.m.
Admission: 500yen for adults, 250yen for elementary school students, free for kindergarteners and younger.
Directions: From Sakurai Station, take the bus to Tanzan Jinja, then a 5-minute walk.
Fall foliage peak: Mid-November to early December
website : Tanzan Shrine
*Fees as of October 2014. All fees include tax.
The aerial tram (ropeway) takes about 10 minutes to go up to the Herb Garden's summit. From the tram, see colorful Kobe and Nunobiki Falls. You can also collect fallen maple leaves on the hiking trail. Feel like you're going on a picnic.
Below the aerial tram is a carpet of red maples.
From the summit, a view of mountains covered with red and yellow and Kobe.
Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden and Aerial Tram (Ropeway)
Address: Kitano-cho 1-4-3, Chuo-ku, Kobe, Hyogo
Phone: 078-271-1160
Directions: By Kobe Municipal Subway: 5-minute walk from Shin-Kobe Station.
By City Bus: Get on the No. 2, 18, 90, or 92 bus and get off at Nunobiki, or take the No. 16 bus and get off at Shin-Kobe Ekimae for a 5-minute walk.
By City Loop Bus: Get off at Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden/Ropeway for 5-minute walk.
Open: M-F 9:30 a.m.-4:45 p.m., weekends and national holidays 9:30 a.m.-8:15 p.m.（varies depending on the season）, open every day.
*Bad weather may close the aerial tram and Herb Garden.
*Due to regular maintenance, aerial tram will be closed during a certain period in winter or when the garden is closed.
For specific dates, see the Website.
Roundtrip fare (One-way fare in parenthesis): 1,400 yen (900 yen) for adults, 700 yen (450 yen) for elementary/Jr. high school students. *Includes Herb Garden admission .
Fall foliage peak: Mid-November to early December
website : Kobe Nunobiki Herb Garden and Aerial Tram (Ropeway)
*Fees as of October 2014. All fees include tax.
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